Armaf Club de Nuit Milestone Review: Vacation on a Budget

I am not someone who buys clones or inspired by fragrances. I prefer to support the artists who make original perfumes. I have never been impressed with the quality of Armaf either. They just smell overly synthetic and scratchy to me, and they lack the raw beauty of the originals that they are trying to mimic.

So, why did I get Club de Nuit Milestone? Well, I don’t know. It was probably because Millesime Imperial is a mere husk of its former self, and this was my proverbial middle finger to Creed and the castration that they did to the scent. I rarely say that about perfumes because I can see the beauty in most of them.

Don’t get me wrong, Millesime Imperial still smells amazing, but I don’t want to pay that much for an aquatic, and one that doesn’t last at that. I am no “beast mode bro”, but I do have standards, and 2-3 hours isn’t cutting it for a scent that might as well be an eau de cologne. I am not asking for an 8-hour fragrance, but you could at least give us a 5-hour scent.

Onto Milestone, I didn’t expect much from the scent. It’s an Armaf and I paid around $35 for a 105ml bottle. However, I was pleasantly shocked. An opening of screechy metallic citrus lays the groundwork for a sweet, yet fresh and uplifting melon. The citruses die down rather quickly, so that horrid opening doesn’t last. You get the sea notes right after the citruses decide to play nice with your nostrils.  The splash of salty sea foam that smacks you in the face akin to a surfer tasting a monstrous wave in the “Wipeout” song from 1962.

The heart is surprisingly dominated by violet. It’s a fresh and ozonic sort that make it feel even more aquatic. The melon’s sweetness really starts to shine in this stage, along with the salt. It really feels like a beach vacation at this point, albeit one portrayed in a modern video game and not of the natural variety. His violet heaviness really sets it apart from Millesime Imperial, and it masks the citric freshness of the scent.

The base is a mélange of heavy-handed clean ambroxan with loads of musk to increase the longevity. It doesn’t feel out of place, but it makes the scent smell a bit rougher than it needs to be. I guess it’s what has to be done to get these notes to last though.

Speaking of the performance, Milestone is a good 7+ hour fragrance on me. The projection isn’t massive, but it does leave an acceptable scent trail. That is decent for an aquatic fragrance.

Just as the Creed is, Armaf’s golden bottled scent is good for spring and summer. The bolstering of sweetness from the melon may allow it to be acceptable in cooler weather as well. It is best worn casually and has a playfulness about it.

Milestone feels like a vacation that isn’t quite in a tropical country. Maybe more of a semi-tropical area such as California, where they grow melons and enjoy sun-kissed sandy beaches.

It’s a sunny day on a yacht. Juicy and sweet melon are served about the pure white vessel, along with citrus juices. The sun beams down and creates a a sparkle from the ocean-kissed skin of the passengers. While the host could serve the finest of delicacies, they prefer the simpler things in life. The things that bring a joyous smile. A bank card could never purchase such luxury and splendor.

Milestone is a nice scent, but those hoping for the freshness and smoothness of the Creed will be disappointed. Just think of the scent for what it is, and it’s enjoyable. If you want the best quality, certainly go with Millesime Imperial. If you want a cheaper scent to last through a summer party, then Armaf has you covered for a few Hamiltons. Either way, the tacky finger print magnet of the mirrored gold will make you rush to Amazon to buy some microfiber cloth.

What do you think of Armaf Milestone Imperial? Is it a hit or a miss in your book? How close do you think it smells to the inspiration?

Images Credit Armaf’s official Instagram Page